Global Green-Gray Community of Practice

Working to Accelerate Nature-Based Infrastructure

 

The Global Green-Gray Community of Practice brings together designers, engineers, policymakers, funders, and communities to advance infrastructure that integrates traditional "gray" solutions with green, nature-based approaches — building more sustainable and resilient systems for people and nature.

 

 

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From problems...

Green-gray infrastructure solutions have been developed but still remain largely underutilized by engineers and practitioners worldwide. By embracing these innovative solutions, understanding their impact, and scaling their implementation we can help reverse biodiversity loss and confront climate challenges head-on.

 

To progress

The Global Green-Gray Community is an international group and online hub that connects people and projects to:

 

Innovate green-gray approaches to redefine infrastructure as a driver of restoration and resilience.

Advance science, engineering, and policy efforts.

Increase awareness of green-gray infrastructure’s applications across geographies and settings.

Grow a community to drive adoption and unlock access to finances for these projects.

 

Our active community

 
 

5 key barriers limiting the widespread adoption and upscaling of green-gray infrastructure:

Limited technical knowledge. Lack of awareness. Policy gaps. Challenges in financing. Cultural resistance.

 

Our community is actively working to break these barriers together, in the field and on the ground.

 

 

© Conservation International

Want to learn more? Join our hub or connect with us on LinkedIn.

 

Tools and guidance

Coastal green-gray cost-benefit analysis tool

Conservation International developed a coastal Green-Gray Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) Tool to illuminate the business case for green-gray infrastructure and address key knowledge and data gaps that inhibit widespread adoption of these solutions, with initial focus on Mexico, Brazil, Guyana and Suriname.

Download CBA Tool (3.7MB) Download User Guidance (1.7MB)

 

Green-gray infrastructure playbook

The Playbook defines the roles, responsibilities, and replicable funding and financing models required to develop green-gray infrastructure at scale — and win the game.

Download report (16MB)

 

Green-gray infrastructure engineering guidance

This work contains recommendations for practical engineering guidelines for the assessment, development and implementation of green-gray infrastructure along Guyana's cost. In addition, it serves as a technical resources document providing the theoretical background for the guidelines.

Download report (14MB)

 

Engineering guidelines for the 21st century

This paper proposes a path forward by colloborating across disciplines and geographies to design a modern data sharing platform for users to input technical knowledge and data about nature-based solutions projects.

Download report (2.5MB)

 

On May 29, 2024, the Global Green-Gray Community of Practice held a webinar highlighting learnings during the evolution of RISCO, or Restoration Insurance Service Company. RISCO is a concept developed by Conservation International to sustainably finance mangrove conservation and restoration. It aims to capture the economic value of mangroves through their protective value and blue carbon payments, and is designed to strengthen community resilience by delivering insurance to underserved people while protecting and restoring mangrove ecosystems.

WEBINAR: Innovative Financing for Nature Based Solutions: RISCO

On May 29, 2024, the Global Green-Gray Community of Practice held a webinar highlighting learnings during the evolution of Resoration Insurance Service Company, RISCO. RISCO is a concept developed by CI to sustainably finance mangrove conservation and resoration.

 
 

New living report from the Community of Practice

A tool for identifying, funding, planning, designing, constructing, and monitoring green-gray infrastructure projects to increase the resilience of vulnerable cities, communities, and assets around the world.

Download report (18MB)

 

 

Our members include